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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author characterizes Columbus as having both religious zeal and scientific curiosity.
In plain terms
He was like a religious fighter but also a modern scientist.
What can you take from it?
Historical figures often hold mixed traits that shape their actions.

Where it applies

  • biography
  • historical analysis
  • character study

Putting it to work

  • writing history
  • biography
  • character analysis

Questions to consider

  • How do we balance different traits in historical figures?
  • Is faith compatible with scientific inquiry?

Another view

The label modern man of science may be anachronistic given his era.

More from Christopher Columbus

  1. If Columbus had an advisory committee he would probably still be at the dock.

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  2. So Columbus said, somebody show me the sunset and somebody did and he set sail for it, And he discovered America and they put him in jail for it, And the fette…

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. We shall be inclined to pronounce the voyage that led to the way to this New World as the most epoch-making event of all that have occurred since the birth of …

    Permalink to quote #24

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